Dr Ken Sutton

Career Summary

Biography

Dr Ken Sutton is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Information Technology with teaching responsibilities in psychology and education. He has research interests in spatial ability and psychometrics with a strong focus on measuring and improving spatial ability. Ken spent considerable time developing an online test of spatial ability for architects and engineers and he had funding support to achieve this. Ken also has experience in heavy industry working in a field very dependent upon spatial reasoning where understanding the relationship between 2D representations and 3D objects was paramount. Ken also spent 24 years in the Active Reserve at RAAF Base Williamtown as an Operations Officer working mostly with fighter pilots and fighter squadrons. The Active Reserve was almost totally integrated with the Permanent Air Force and the experience included deployments and exercises.

Research ExpertiseResearch interests are related to understanding 3 dimensional concepts with developing interests in higher education teaching and learning and core skills in science and mathematics.

CollaborationsDr Ken Sutton is currently working with Professor Anthony Williams (Architecture & Built Environment) in the secondary sector investigating spatial ability performance among years 7 to 10 students looking for positive or negative relationships with other academic skills. For example, mathematics and technology. NAPLAN results are expected to become part of the investigation. The researchers have just completed a pilot study at one secondary school (n = 91). The potential of this project because of the established network is nation wide and international to some extent. This pilot is a forerunner to an ARC grant application later this year. The researchers are seeing spatial ability as a developing essential literacy. Ken is also part of a small academic team from a cognitive search group developing a 4th year psychology student brain training project. This is innovative in many respects and breaking new ground, particularly with ethics. Lessons learnt from the project will lead to improvements in future years and offer publication potential.